by Jim Gordon
— John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
— John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
— John 5:39-40 You study the scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
The Word is not just written words in a book. The Word mentioned here is Jesus, the Living Word.
So many of us focus on which version of the bible is the true word of God. These verses state that the true Word is alive and living within us. The true Word is not a book at all.
If we were never again able to read from the bible or hear it read to us, we still have the Living Word of God within us to teach us and guide us.
It is good to read our bibles no matter what translation we prefer because the written word is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Yet the bible is not God and is not part of the trinity of God. It is not Father, Son and Holy Bible.
We need to remember that the bible was written by humans who were inspired to tell how they related to God, how they understood God, how they interacted with God and what they thought God was saying to them. The true Word of God is Jesus who lives within each of us through the Holy Spirit.
We can read the words on the pages of the bible and learn about grace and the love of God, but it is the Living Word within us by the Holy Spirit that brings to life and power the words we read. Jesus, who is the living, inerrant Word of God has final authority over any written words which we call the bible.
Done with Religion 
Hi Lisa, thanks for writing. I agree, Jesus is the Living Word. The words that come from him are life and they come to life by the Holy Spirit. I do believe we read and study the words of Jesus in the gospels, yet they are not life. The written words are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness yet without the Spirit bringing them to life they are only words. Every written word is subject to interpretation and various understandings. Through all the years there have been many different interpretations and many different translations. Times, meaning and customs have changed over those years and without the illumination of the Spirit we cannot really say that studying the written words only will be that profitable. I do not think most churches emphasize the indwelling and guidance of the Holy Spirit and how to listen and hear from the Spirit, it is more about what the pastor says. I do believe we can learn from people but apart from the leading of the Spirit, nothing makes much sense. That is my opinion and views on the question. Hope that helps. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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So my dear brother, can you help me understand this. In Matthew When Jesus was being tempted he said: man shall not live by bread alone but by every “word” that proceeds out of his mouth. So we live by the words of Jesus.Jesus words are living and alive. And the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. Therefore we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Is this correct? So do we study the words of Jesus in the 4 gospels
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